Dear Open Doors Supporters,
What a month! In the last 30 days, Open Doors students have had many adventures! We closed out the month of September with our Annual Camping Trip, spent the afternoon at the Cleveland Foodbank in the beginning of October, and just celebrated a true success in our First Annual Kickball/ Dodgeball Tournament! There is plenty to find in the newsletter this month!
Don't forget to click on the link to see the pictures from the Kickball/ Dodgeball Tournament and check out the Open Doors Holiday Wishlist at the bottom of the newsletter. Most importantly, don't forget to read up on our students of the month, and Alumnus, Marcus Driscoll, who shares what it means to be a volunteer for Open Doors. I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and the many colors that autumn brings. Be sure to vote on November 4th and get ready for next month's report from the students on their political perspectives!
Annemarie M. Grassi, M.S.Ed.
Executive Director
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DOMINATION DAY!!
2008 Kickball/ Dodgeball Tournament
Whoever said Middle School students couldn't compete
with the adults in a Kickball/ Dodgeball Tournament......
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Open Doors' 2008 Camp Out
Kathryn Schnell, Program Director
On the evening of Friday, September 26th, St. Paul's Church's front lawn was transformed into the Open Doors' campground for our 7th annual camp-out. The evening began with the boys playing football,the girls mingling, and everyone working together to pitch over twenty large tents! New staff member, Jeff Harrell and parent volunteer, Tyrone Reed, worked the grill and served up over 100 hotdogs. Following dinner, Open Doors students and staff members had fun popping out from behind bushes and trees to scare one another, and the Murder in the Dark, was a must!
Later in the evening, students toasted (or burnt in many cases) marshmallows over the fire pit and played night games including Man Hunt and Capture the Flag. The night was topped off when students bundled up in sleeping bags and blankets to watch a movie under the stars. Many a car on Fairmount Boulevard slowed down to witness the sight of all of the fun activities and numerous tents. Open Doors' student, Madison Androsko, stated that the camp-out "was fun and I learned to get along with other people."
At 4am, the last sounds were heard coming from a tent full of boys, giggling over girls, and having theoretical conversations on the history of religion! Parents and staff members stayed up into the wee hours of the night watching over the campgrounds, talking politics and laughing. Special props to Abra and Annemarie for staying up all night! The next morning, students were up and at 'em by 8am. Students enjoyed a breakfast of cereal, bagels, and eggs before departing for home- hopefully to take a warm shower and a long nap.
Thank you to all of the parents, staff, community supporters, and students that made the Open Doors Camp-Out 2008 a success!
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STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Tyler Poston, 8th grader
What is your favorite Open Doors Snack? Mini Pizzas
What is your favorite thing to do after school? Play Outside
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Play Games
What is your favorite subject in school? Math
If you could be a superhero, who would you be? I don't want to because their strengths are also strong weaknesses
What is your favorite cartoon/ cartoon character? Tom the Cat
Who is your greatest inspiration? My Mom, because she is a hard worker and fun to be around.
What is your greatest challenge or biggest dream? To go to Oklahoma University and play football for them.
What do you like most about Open Doors? It is a place where I can take my mask off and be myself.
 STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Jessica Klein, 6th Grader
What is your favorite Open Doors Snack? Hot chocolate and Spaghetti
What is your favorite thing to do after school? Go to Open Doors
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Play with my friends
What is your favorite subject in school? Art
If you could be a superhero, who would you be? A make-up superhero - I would go around giving people makeovers who need them
What is your favorite cartoon/ cartoon character? Betty Boop
Who is your greatest inspiration? My mom, because I can always talk to her
What is your greatest challenge or biggest dream? To become rich and have a house entirely decorated in Hello Kitty
What do you like most about Open Doors? The Field Trips
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 Open Doors Holiday
Wish List
The Holidays are around the corner..
Give a gift to a friend, by giving a gift to Open Doors Academy
Help us fill our cabinets with much needed supplies this Holiday Season!
It is so easy! Simply order the gift from our Target Holiday Wish List below, and it will ship it to us directly!
Click Here to View the List:
OPEN DOORS HOLIDAY WISH LIST
WAYS TO GIVE
- Many companies/ organizations adopt a family for the holidays.. consider asking your company to adopt Open Doors!
- Purchase a gift from Open Doors on behalf of a family member/ friend. We will send them a card to thank them for the gift you gave on their behalf.
- Simply add Open Doors to your holiday shopping list~ mom, dad, brother, Open Doors!
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Who's Who In Open Doors?
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Sydney Davenport, a member of the Sims Raiders Chearleading Squad is preparing for the MUNY League Chearleading Competition in November. She has been practicing 6 days a week for the competition. Keep up the good work Sydney!
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THANK YOU TO OUR
KICKBALL/ DODGEBALL VOLUNTEERS
Angela Neal
Michael Littlejohn
Keith Moehring
Eric Purcell
Matt Rodak
Terrence Jones
Heather Poston
Frances Bachman
Wes Koontz
Hugh Williams
Robyne Alexander
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DONATED GOODS
Pizza Bogo
Popeyes
Chipotle
Anthony E. Smith
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Return on Investment
Open Doors 2008 Evaluation
(Part 2 of 3)
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
In part two of a three part series, Open Doors demonstrates academic success among both its' students and graduated alumni.
** STUDENT OUTCOME **
Open Doors Evaluation reports that as a result of their experience with Open Doors students indicate that they enjoy school more and participate in completing their homework more.
- 50% Open Doors students hold a 3.0 GPA or higher
- 22% Open Doors students hold between a 2.0 and a 2.99 GPA
- 85% Open Doors students received "Marked Effort" or "Excellent Effort" in attitude marks
ALUMNI SUCCESS
A survey conducted amongst Open Doors Alumni showed that 90% of alumni felt that Open Doors had influenced them.
- 100% of reported alumni believed that Open Doors helped me to organizse my academic priorities
- 100% of alumni believe that Open Doors provided and still provide me with a safe space to go in case I am in trouble or need to discuss an important issue.
- 90% of alumni believe that Open Doors helped them build friendships with other kids where they can help them.
- 100% of alumni believe that Open Doors helped them build relationships with adults where they could trust them.
- 90% of alumni believe that Open Doors helped them build a better relationship with the community as a whole
- 90% of alumni trust Open Doors Staff
- 90% of alumni continue to help others in the community
- 100% of alumni think that they will be a successful adult
Next Month's Issue - Summative responses and observations If you would like to receive a full copy of the 2008 Open Doors Evaluation, please email Annemarie M. Grassi to request a copy.
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 The Open Doors Volunteer Experience
By Marcus Driscoll, Open Doors Sophomore Alumni
I have been involved with Open Doors for five years. This is my second year volunteering at Open Doors. I like to go to Open Doors after school because I get to hang out with the staff and my friends. I also get the opportunity to help students with their homework and their problems, which makes me feel good. Each day I help the staff walk students from school to Open Doors, help students with homework, and help Ms. Debra prepare snack. I also get to help lead activities. In my job, I have to be a good role model for the kids. I have to remain calm, even if the kids start to bug me!
I have learned many things being a volunteer. I have learned to handle my problems without fighting, I have learned to get along with all people, not just those who are easy to get along with. I have also learned job skills, like being on time and demonstrating responsibility.
I think I am a good volunteer. Last year I won the volunteer of the year award, and I hope to win it again! Open Doors is a great place for me. It is a privilege for me to be at Open Doors as a volunteer. Volunteering helps me give back to the community. It makes me think of people other than myself. I like helping and teaching other kids. When I grow up, I think I want to be a Big Brother in Big Brothers Big Sisters, so I can be a big brother to a kid like me. Thank you Open Doors for all that you do!
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Jeff Harrell,
Mediation Facilitator
How long have you been with Open Doors?
2 months
Where did you graduate from?
Kent State University
Where do you currently reside?
Cleveland Heights (just bought our first home!)
Favorite Food: Pizza
If you could be a superhero, who would you be? Superman
Favorite Cartoon or Cartoon Character?
South Park
Favorite Quote? "Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Favorite Middle School Memory?
Winning the conference championship in football
Who is your greatest inspiration?
My mother, because she is the strongest and most resilient person I know.
What is your greatest challenge or biggest dream? My greatest challenge is to be the best husband and father I can possibly be.
What do you like most about Open Doors?
The good people involved in the program, from the students to the staff.
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Open Doors Academy
2008 Scholarship Fund
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DO SOMETHING POWERFUL
BY DOING SOMETHING SIMPLE
Help Impact the Future of a Child by giving to the Open Doors Scholarship Fund
Help us meet our 2008 scholarship goal of raising $50,000 in individual gifts.
Be a part of something Big! No donation is too big or too small!
Consider a donation... $5, $10, $20... Help us reach our goal of $50,000 to support the 2008 Scholarship Fund!
To Donate, CLICK HERE. All donations are tax deductible.
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DO SOMETHING SIMPLE...
DO SOMETHING POWERFUL...
VOLUNTEER
GET INVOLVED! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
One on One Tutoring - Tuesday Evenings from 6pm
to 7pm. Work one on one with a student who need additional academic
support. 12 week commitment requested. No prior middle school
experience needed!
Share a Skill, Story, or Talent - Do you
have a law background and would love to teach the art of debate? How
about a financial advisor who can share the importance of understanding
money? Are you a good cook? Creative Artist? We need your talent!
Our middle school students seek out the opportunity to develop
relationships with mentors and strong adult role models. You can be
that role model! Even If you can come in and give of your time even
just once a month, we would welcome you!
If you would like more
information on volunteer opportunities, contact,
Paul Theodore, Program
Director, at
(216) 320-9563 or ptheodore@opendoorsacademy.org
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